The collected works of ScottyB

There are always little gems of films, the ones you hear about, don’t think too much of to start with, but you go see them and realise they will go down in time as one of the greats.

Comedies these days tend to be hit-and-miss type affairs. The whole ‘vile’ humour thing.. the rubbish of ‘Jackass’ and such just don’t do anything for me - I don’t find it ‘comedy’. It’s kind of like watching Funniest Home Videos and seeing a 4 year old come crashing off a bike and faceplanting into a brick wall. Apparently this is humour to some, but I find myself seeking out the comedy of old - the unexpected, the slapstick, raw, the dry wit, the pithy comebacks, the hilarious one-liners.

Adam Sandler is one who has kept these comedies alive. Classics like Bulletproof, Happy Gilmore, Big Daddy.. and the more romantic-comedy style of The Wedding Singer. Always easily enjoyable, always fun.

Jim Carrey too, with films like Ace Ventura - and later, Bruce Almighty, which maintain that clean, but awesome comedy feel.

More recently, The 40 Year-Old Virgin was one of those unexpectedly brilliant comedies. It sounded okay, Steve Carell is a classic, but I don’t think anything could have prepared the viewer for the hilarity that would ensue.

Judd Apatow’s latest, Knocked Up is no exception.

Alison Scott: I’m pregnant.
Ben Stone: You mean, with emotion?

There are constant laughs, start to finish. From the unlikely pairing of Alison Scott (Katherine Heigl) and Ben Stone (Seth Rogen) all the way to the crowning, there’s always something crazy, something utterly hilarious to surprise you and have you doubling-over in laughter.

Jay: I’m going to be there to rear your child.
Jason: You hear that, Ben? Don’t let him near the kid, he wants to rear your child!

Many of the gang return for roles in Knocked Up, Paul Rudd as Pete, the disconnected husband of Debbie (Leslie Mann - which we remember from 40 Year Old Virgin as the drunk driving chick Carell takes home). Carell too has a cameo role (as himself) and even Harold Ramis is in there as Ben’s Father.

Ben Stone: Do you want to do it doggie style?
Alison Scott: You’re not going to f**k me like a dog.
Ben Stone: It’s doggie style. We don’t have to go outside or anything.

Fantastic film making at its comedy best.